Both planes suggested so far are good choices. You should also consider:

Parkzone Slo-V RTF
Hobbico Flyzone Cessna 182 RTF
Hobbico Flyzone Sky Pilot RTF
Hobbico Flyzone Ventura/Mini Ventura RTF

If you're willing to spend $150, you're not too far away from simply getting a complete ready-to-fly nitro (glow) plane:

[link=http://www.thundertiger4u.com/thunder-tiger-dragonfly-value-pack-p-7298.html]Thunder Tiger Dragonfly Super Combo[/link]

This Thunder Tiger Dragonfly super combo includes the Dragonfly .15-sized airframe with a 44" wingspan, Thunder Tiger GP-15 glow engine, and Hitec Laser 4 radio system all for $199.99. The folks at http://www.thundertiger4u.com will even ship it for free, all orders over $150 come with free ground shipping.

If you want an even larger glow plane, you could simply go ahead and get the Easy Trainer .40 super combo:

[link=http://www.thundertiger4u.com/easy-trainer-super-comboblue-free-side-kick-p-13081.html]Easy Trainer 40H Super Combo[/link]

For $259.99, you get the 61" wingspan Easy Trainer 40H airframe with a Thunder Tiger GP-42 engine and Hitec Laser 4 radio system. In addition to all of this, the package also includes all of your basic field accessories at no additional charge - glow ignitor w/ charger, chicken stick, fuel pump, fuel cap kit, fuel line, and even 4-way glow/prop wrench are all included.

I started out trying to learn to fly by myself on an electric plane, the Hobbyzone Aerobird Challenger. All I managed to do was spend a small fortune on replacement wings, tail assemblies, and propellers. Once I bought a glow plane and started learning with a flight instructor, flying was much easier. After I started flying my glow plane, I found I could then fly my Aerobird much better as well.

Save your money and buy your bigger "gas" glow plane up front, they're more durable and they're easier to learn on when it comes to flight training.